Convertible register



Dec. 29 1925. 1,567,115

L. J. coLGAN CONVERTI BLE REGI STER Fil'ed Oct. l5, 1921 2, Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 29, 1925.

1,567,115 l.. J. coLG-AN CONVERTIBLE REGISTER Filed Oct. l5 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 29, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEONARD J. COLGAN, OF GLENJJALE. NEW' YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 TU'ITLE & BAILEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CONVERTIBLE REGISTER.

Application led October 15, 1921.

T 0 all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, LEONARD J. COLGAN, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Glendale, in the borough ofQueens, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Convertible Registers, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to improvements in registers of the type commonly used as a floor or wall outlet of a hot air heating and Ventilating plant. It relates more particularly to means whereby a register in which the dampers may7 be opened and closed by operating mechanism of the screw type as, for example, by means of a worm and toothed sector (known as a lock t-ype register) may be converted into a register of the non-lock type, in which the dampersmay be operated by means of the usual sector or other manipulator adapted for rotation .or reciprocation by the hand or foot and vice versa. l

It is one of the objects of the invention to construct a register of the lock type in which the operating mechanism herein disclosed as a worm and toothed sector, together with the means by which they are secured in place in the register, may be readily detached, and whereby the manual operating element may be readily substituted for the removed lock operating mechanism.

Itis also a feature of the invention to provide a complete set of register parts, including the manual operating element as well as the worm and toothed sector` and their attaching elements, whereby said set of register parts may be distributed to the jobber or retailer, and may be selectively assembled to form registers of the lock type or registers of the non-lock type, in accordance with the requirements of the trade. It will be apparent that this convertible feature of the registerenables the manufacturer and dealer to supply the market with registers of either type, while the amount of capital invested in stock may be maintained at a minimum.

Referring to the drawings illustrating the invention in its preferred form,-

Figure l is across section through the improved register assembled as one of the lock t e.

ylFig. 2 is a top View of one end of the same.

Fig. 3 is a top view of a detachable insert,

Serial No. 507,908.

a part of which forms a bearing for the operating worm.

Fig. 4 is a section through the operating mechanism of the register along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a cross section through one end portion of the register along the line 5-5 of Fig. l, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the register assembled as one of the non-lock type.

7 is a top view of one end of the same.

F 1g. 8 is a top view of the register illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, with the cover plate removed.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, reference character 20 designates a register casing within and at opposite ends of which are detachably secured end frame members 2l, which serve as mounting means for the dampers and damper operating mechanism, to be hereinafter described. These end frame members are provided with toes or extensions 22, which engage recesses 23 in the register casing, and the frame members are detachably held in their engaging relation with the casing by means of screws 24 (Fig. 5).

In the preferred form of the invention herein disclosed,,dampers 26, of the usual type, are pivoted by means of projecting end pintles 27 engaging circular openings in the frames 21. Each of the danipers 2G is also provided at a suitable distance from the pintle 27 with an extending pintle 28, which engages a circular opening in an operating link 29, having a pintle 3l to engage an opening' 30 in a toothed sector 32 which is in meshed engagement with a threaded driving element comprising a screw or worm 33'. The toothed sector 32 is detachably secured to one of the end frames 21 by means of a screw or other suitable fastening device Bt. The worm is journalled at its lower end in a bearing which may be formed in the adjacent end frame member, as at 35. The upper end of the worm may be journalled in a bearing 36 which forms a portion of an insert 37, secured .in place by suitable fastening members sucu as screws 38, which secure the register cover plate 39 to the register easing 20.

l lit) Llil Suitable means, such as a key 40, may be provided for rotating the worm, and this means may be detachable in order that the register may be set with its dampers closed or opened to any desired extent. This setting of the register may not be readily altered without the use of the key. A register otl the typo described is, therefore, known in the art as one of the lock type.

Lock registers of the above described character, provided with dampers operated by means ot' a worm and toothed sector, are well known in the art, and are not claimed per se as a part ot' the present inventionl is distinguished from registers ot' the prior art, however, the invention herein disclosed comprises the detachable insert 37, one part ot which forms the upper bearing Jfor the worin Ihetoothed sector 32 ot the improied :Ster is also readily detachable by removal By merely removing the 'ews 3S and 34, therefore, the toothed sec- 232, worm B3 and 'insert 37 may be deached, and a manual operating sector 41 6) may be substituted tor the perating sector. ritter making this substitution and again securing the cover plate in place, it will be found that the register has been converted into a non-lock register ot a type also well known in the art.

Fig. 7 is a top view of the register atter it has been converted into one of the nonlock type as above described, and Fig. 8 is a similar view with the cover plate removed. will be observed that the insert 37 when inv izseas illustrated in Figs. l and 2- ot the lock type register, not only altords a bearing element for the upper end of the worm, but also serves as a cover plate to close the Jopening immediately above the toothed sectran e members 2l. and with their pintles 2S.

.0' the openings in the operating link pintle 3l of the operating link being `e same time brought into engagement with the opening provided theretorin the "tor'to be used. rIhe dampers, operating sector and end trames are then'lowered into theregister, and the noses 22 alt one end ot each oi"- the endtraines are inserted somewhat beyond their normal distance in order that the noses 22 at 'the opposite end may be brought into engagement withthe recesses provided therefor. The end frames and parts assembled therewith are then moved back to theirnormal positions, as indicated in l and 6, and secured in place by insertion ot the screws 24 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6). It the register is to be used as one ot the non-lock type the assembling is completed by die mere fastening of the cover plate in place. It it is to be used as one or the lock type the worm and insert are lirs't put in place, and the assembling is then completed by the application ot' the cover plate.

It will be apparent that by making up the parts corresponding to a register of the lock type as illustrated in Figs. l and 2, and a manual operating sector 4l as illustrated in Fig. 6,the dealer may readily select the proper part-s and assemble the device as a ,register ol either type desired, or, it it has already been assembled as a register of one type., may readily convert it into one o't' the other type.

Although the 'invention has been herein illustrated and described as embodied in its preferred form, it will be understood that it is not limited to the particular torni disclosed, but may be modilied to suit the skill and taste of the designer within the scope ot' the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a convertible register, the combination with the usual casing, cover plate and dampers, of'damper operating mechanism comprising a toothed sector, a worm in meshed relation therewith, and bearings for said Worm, said sector, worm, and one of said bearings being detachable whereby a manual operating sector maybe readily substituted for said worm and toothedsector, thereby converting said register from one of the lock type to one of the nonlock type.

2. In a convertible register, the combinawith the usual casing, cover plate and dampers, of damper operating mechanism comprising a toothed sector and a worm in meshed relation therewith, and an insert normally closing an opening in said coverplate above said sector, said sector, worm, Vand insert being detachable whereby a manual operating sector, accessible through said opening, may be readily substituted tor sai-d worm and toothed sector, thereby converting said register from one ot the lock type to one of the non-lock type. Y

3. In a convertible register, the combinaation defined by claim 2, further characterized in that a removable bearing is provided for the` worm, said bearing being formed as a part of the insert.

4. In a convertible register, the combination defined by claim 2, further characterized in that common fastening means is provided to secure the cover plate and'insert to the casing.

a part of the insert, common fastening means being provided to secure the insert and cover plate to the casino'.

6. A convertible register comprising a casing, a pair of end frame members detachably secured in said casing, a cover plate detachably secured to said frame members,

. dampers having their ends pivoted in said frame members, a toothed operating sector having a detachable pivotal connection with one of sai-d frame members, an operating link connecting said sector with said dampers whereby rotative movement of the former is communicated to the latter, said sector being detachable from said link, a rcmovable worm in meshed relation with the teeth of said sector, and whereby said worin may be rotated, said parts, when assembled` comprising' a lock register in which said worm, and sector may be readily detached, whereby a manual operatingl sector may be substituted for said toothed sector to convert said register into one of the. non-lock type.

7. A convertible register, as defined by claim 6, having an opening in the cover plate immediately above the toothed sector, and a removable insert normally Aclosing said opening.

8. A convertible register, as defined by claim 6, having an opening in the cover plate immediately above the toothed sector and an insert held in place by the fastening means between the cover plate and en-d frame members.

9. A convertible register, as defined by claim 6, having an opening in the cover plate immediately above the toothed sector, an insert normally closing said opening, said insert and cover plate being detachably secured to the end frame members, by common fastening means and a detachable bearing for the Worm, said bearing comprising a part of said insert.

l0. A convertible register, as defined by claim 6, having an opening` in the cover plate immediately above the toothed sector, an insert normally closing said opening, and a detachable bearing for the worm, said bearing comprising a part of said insert.

11. A register set comprising the usual casing, cover plate, and dampers, and convertible operating mechanism for said dampers comprising a toothed sector, a worm therefor, a detachable bearing for said Worm, and a manual sector, said parts being adapted to be assembled selectively, the toothed sector, worm, and detachable bearing being used to construct a register of the loclz7 type and the manual sector being used to construct a register of the non-lock type.

12. A register set comprising the usual casing, cover plate, and dampers, said cover plate having the usual opening to admit access to a manual operating sector, an insert to close said opening, and convertible operating mechanism for said dampers comprising a toothed sector, a worm therefor, a detachable bearing forming a part of said insert, and a manual sector, said parts being adapted to be assembled selectively, the toothed sector, worm, and insert being used to construct a register of the lock type and the manual sector being used to construct a register of the non-lock type.

13. In a convertible register, the combination with the usual casing, cover plate and dampers, a-dapted for use as a part of a register of the non-lock type, having the usual damper manipulator, of damper operating mechanism of the loclttype comprising a worm provided with means whereby it may be rotated by the application of a key, and a driving connection between said worm and said dampers, said driving connection including an operating element adapted to be substituted for the usual damper manipulator, said operating mechanism being readily attachable and detachable whereby a register of the non-lock type may be converted into a register of the lock type by omitting the usual manipulator and substituting therefor the said operating mechanism, and may be restored to a register of the non-lock type by removing said operat ing mechanism to permit the usual manipulator to be inserted.

ln witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

LEONARD J. COLGAN.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,567,115, granted December 29, 1925, upon the application of Leonard J. Colgan, of Glendale, New York, for an improvement in Convertible Registers, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 104, elaiin 2, for the misspelled 'word eonihina read combination; page 3, line 15, ela'nn f3, after the Word being insert the Word readily, and line 17, after the Word and insert the Word means; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the same may Conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Olice.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of January, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] XVM. A. KINNAN,

Acting ommzsszfoner of Patents. 

